Deferred entry of judgment pilot program.

Assembly Member Kalra's legislation extends and refines California's deferred entry of judgment pilot program, which allows certain young adult felony defendants to serve time in juvenile facilities rather than county jails. The bill maintains program authorization for Butte, Nevada, and Santa Clara counties through January 1, 2029, while transferring compliance oversight from the Board of State and Community Corrections to the Office of Youth and Community Restoration.

The program continues to serve defendants aged 18-20 at the time of their offense, with possible participation for those up to age 24 upon multidisciplinary team approval. Eligible participants must plead guilty to qualifying felony charges, demonstrate potential to benefit from juvenile rehabilitation services, and have no prior serious felony convictions or sex offender registration requirements. The probation department evaluates candidates using a risk assessment tool developed in consultation with the court, district attorney, and sheriff.

Under the amended provisions, participating counties must submit program evaluations to state legislative committees by December 31, 2027. These reports must analyze impacts on sentencing practices, community supervision opportunities, and participant outcomes compared to similar offenders in adult facilities. Counties may contract with independent entities, including the University of California, to conduct these evaluations. The Office of Youth and Community Restoration will review each program's compliance with federal requirements for separating juvenile and adult inmates, reporting findings to the Board of State and Community Corrections within 30 days.